30th Anniversary Pokémon Trading Card Launch Sparks Enormous Queues, 'Ghost Chairs' Criticism, and Price Hikes
Pokémon's coveted 30th anniversary trading card set has gone on sale, though its launch has seen some stores jacking up prices, while long lines of customers have camped outside overnight.
The 30th anniversary release of highly sought-after Pokémon trading cards has drawn massive crowds to retailers, leading to long lines, overnight camping, and even criticism. Several U.S. and European retailers have started limiting individual purchases or destroying cards to prevent resale. Facial recognition technology has been implemented in some Japanese stores to manage demand.
Despite these measures, fans continue to line up, with some bringing camping chairs to secure their spot. The practice of reserving seats with "ghost chairs" has sparked debate, as it may disadvantage those showing up on the actual release day. The Pokémon Company has struggled to meet the high demand, with over 10 billion cards produced last year.
The cards' rising popularity has made them attractive targets for scalpers and thieves, leading some collectors to speculate on their potential use as currency in a post-apocalyptic world.
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